Saudia Arabia in the Balance : Political Economy, Society, Foreign Affairs

"Saudi Arabia in the Balance" brings together leading scholars from Europe, the US and the Middle East to investigate the political and economic realities of a Kingdom that remains stubbornly opaque to most outside observers.

Tensions between its regional and global roles intertwine with the dilemmas it faces at home, hence analysis of domestic issues is framed with reference to the post- 9/11 world , globalisation and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Among the topics covered are the influence of the Wahhabi ulama; education; the Islamist threat to the regime; liberal opposition; the role of the royal family; foreign relations and the economy.